Combination soap container and scrubber



E. s. TUPPE 2,851,713

Sept. 16, 1958 Filed March 17, 1955 INVENTOR. EARL. S. TUPPEIZ Sept. 16, 1958 E. s. TUPPER 2,851,713

COMBINATION SOAP CONTAINER AND SCRUBBER Filed March 17, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. [EA/3.1. S. TU PPE R.

United States Patent COMBINATION SOAP CONTAINER AND SCRUBBER Earl S. Tupper, Smithfield, R. I., assignor to Tupper Corporation, North Smithfield, R. 1., a corporation of Delaware Application March 17, 1955, Serial No. 494,877

Claims. (Cl. 15-105) This invention relates generally to containers for soap and other articles, but more specifically to a cover type of implement therefor for use in hair brushing, hair massaging, hair combing, body massaging, and removal of superfluous skin hair, blackheads and the like, the container cover per se being an improvement over applicants pending U. S. application for patent Serial No. 384,973 filed October 8, 1953. This application has matured into Patent #2,752,623 on July 3, 1956.

The invention relates specifically to a removable cover member for a container which cooperatively serves as a combination non-pulling, non-abrading and non-toxic implement formed of a resilient and deformable plastic material having cooperating structural elements capable of serving several selective functions, the said cover optionally utilizing the container as a grasping element therefor and for affording added leverage to application of the cover member and for adding rigidity thereto.

The implement comprises a central wall having a plurality of spaced and projecting fingers on one side, and a plurality of spaced and parallel rib or blade members formed on the opposite side, the blade members having the same depth as a peripheral wall adapted to engage the rim of the container member for closure and sealing purposes. The blades, fingers, peripheral wall and container serve a multitude of functions both correlated and independent such as scalp and body massaging, hair brushing, shampooing and combing, superfluous hair remover, remover for blackheads and other skin imbedded bodies, and as a cover for a container member to house soap or other article.

Accordingly, the main objects of the invention reside in the provision of a container having a removable cover type of implement, the combination and the cover being non-abrading, light, handy and non-toxic, the cover with or without the container serving as an implement for use as a shampoo brush, scalp stimulator, hair brush, comb, drain type of soap holder, face and body blade type of skin stimulator capable of service in removal of superfluous hair, blackheads, or other skin imbedded impurities without imposing painfinjury, irritation, scratching or abrasion.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of a multiple-use device applicable to a handle or container member and which is easily cleaned, durable, has little tendency to pull, break or split hair of the body or impose injury, irritation or abrasion to the skin, and which is adapted for wet or dry application to the body parts with or without detergent fluids and other body applied compounds.

A further object of the inventionresides in the provision of a device wherein all the structural elements are made from a thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, vinyl, treated styrene or other substances having the same physical characteristics. The material should be light in weight, unbreakable, odorless, chemically inert, unaffected by operating temperatures, should have a small coeflicient of friction, should afford a sterile medium for and be 2, 51,713 Patented Sept. 16, 1958 consequently resistant to mildews, micro-organisms, and

insects, and which should be locally deformable to yield Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a preferred ernbodiment of the present invention showing the cover mem her in closed position upon a container, the combination being adapted for use both as a storage container for soap, brush, or other device and as a brushing, massaging and other type of applicator, the container serving as a handle.

Figure 2 is a view in perspective of the improved cover member showing it removed from the container.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view of Figure 1 taken along the plane 33 thereof.

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view of Figure 3 taken along the plane 44 thereof.

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the improved cover member per se shown in operative use as a scraping and scrubbing laundry implement employing the longitudinal ribs provided on the inner face thereof.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cover member per se shown in operative use employing the integrally formed fingers or bristles on the outer face thereof for massaging and scrubbing purposes.

In accordance with the invention and the preferred form shown, the container member of the device, capable of being of any desired shape and capacity, is represented by letter A and as shown includes a rectangularly shaped bottom wall 10 adapted to support thereabove any suitable article such as a brush, jewelry articles for temporary storage and the like, but as shown supports a bar of soap 11. The container bottom wall 10 around its periphery is integrally formed with a vertically disposed side wall 12 rounded at the corners and which extends upwardly above bottom wall 10 to any predetermined and desired distance for completely surrounding and enclosing the contents of container A.

In order to prevent the contents of container A when a soap bar 11 is stored therein from clinging and from dissolving in the water content on wall 10, the latter is integrally formed with longitudinally extending draining or elevated ridges 13 laterally spaced and adapted to support the soap bar thereon in freely spaced relationship with respect to the bottom wall. The outer surface of side wall 12 along the upper peripheral edge thereof is integrally formed with a continuous ridge or bead 14 for engagement with the cover member generally indicated by letter B as will hereinafter appear.

It is preferable that container A be formed of a locally deformable thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, vinyl, treated styrene and derivatives thereof as hereinbefore mentioned. This material when built up to form the structure of the device is reinformed by functional elements to be normally shape-retaining thereby affording economy in the use of a thin gauge for production. Moreover, the thermoplastic material when used for the container member permits deformation thereof to conform in shape to storage quarters in the event that available space does not conform to the exact dimensions involved.

The cover member B is necessarily made of the thermoplastic material above described such as polyethylene or other material having similar physical characteristics since there are prerequisite qualities such as non-abrading, resilient, deformable, sterile, low coeificient of friction, odorless, inert, easily washable. Of course container A may be of a more rigid material such as styrene, acetate or the like.

In connection with cover B, the latter is adapted to cooperate with the peripheral portion 14 of the container to aid in the shape-retaining characteristics thereof. It is to be noted that the rounded corners of container side wall 12 serve as a reinforcing element. Thus, peripheral portion 14 by virtue of its structure serves as a reinforcing rim for container A arresting the tendency of the side wall 12 from rolling over. Container peripheral portion 14 is further utilized for cooperation with an engaging peripheral skirt or flange on cover B as will appear.

Cover B following the same contour as container side wall 12 is provided with a rectangular central wall 15 terminating edgewise in a depending skirt 16 adapted to receive therewithin and frictionally engage the peripheral head 14 of container A, the lower edge of skirt 15 termimating in a downwardly and outwardly extending flange 17.

The cover B is made of relatively thin gauge and has greater rigidity than container A by virtue of combined functional and reinforcing elements as will appear.

It will be noted that deformation of the cover member is controlled and arrested by the reinforcing effect of the engaging skirt or rim 16 and flange 17, the latter acting as a holding means. Flange 16 and peripheral head 14 serve not only to effect a live and pressurized sealing contact between cover B and container A but increase rigidity at the area of engagement. For such pressurized sealing contact the inner lateral dimensions of cover skirt or rim 16 are less than the outer lateral dimensions of bead 14.

In applying cover B on container A for removably sealing the latter, it is merely necessary to force the cover member flange 16 downwardly over peripheral head 14 of the container, the nature of the material affording live contact and frictional engagement therebetween. If the container A is also formed of similar material as cover B greater live contact is effected.

The outer face of cover central wall 15 is integrally formed with a plurality of spaced bristles or fingers 18, which taper slightly towards their outer free ends and project from the said wall at rounded shoulders 19, Rounded shoulders 19 at the base of tapered fingers 18 prevent the accumulation of dirt and other foreign matter' at the intersection with wall 15 and further afford better flexibility of the bristles or fingers and consequently afford a more efiicient and sanitary scrubbing and massaging head.

It will be noted in Figure 1 that the implement may be employed as a scrubbing brush or massaging head without separating the cover member from the container, in which case container A serves as a head rigidifying handle giving leverage to the head. As shown in Figure 6, cover member B may be used separately in which case flange 17 provides a convenient handle for the scrubbing operation.

Owing to the nature of the common material employed in the formation of fingers 18' and wall 15, the fingers yield by themselves and also cause a yielding of wall 15 thereby giving a safe, soothing and soft scrub or massage when applied to parts of the body or skin as shown in Figure 6.

For similar or other general massaging purposes,

4 skirt 16 and flange 17 cooperating therewith. Blades 21 are integrally formed with wall 15 being of the same material. Blades 21 as shown are substantially parallel and laterally spaced, the outermost blades 21a being integrally formed with the short transversely extending ribs 22 for reinforcing purposes.

The longitudinal blades 21, it will be noted, are adapted for more vigorous scrubbing and massaging action as shown in Figure 5 because blades 21 are relatively rigid. The blades also serve to reinforce the cover B in cooperation with the skirt and flange 16 and 17 thereof.

The application with pressure of blades 21 to the body (or on fabrics) by reciprocal motion transverse to the blade length does not result in pulling, pinching or discomfort by reason of the plural and successive flexing and local deformability of the blades and wall 15. A stimulatory effect is thereby provided which does not irritate, lacerate or damage the body. The controlled pressure and movements of the blades against the effective body areas force the ejection of imbedded impurities. Moreover, on application of an abrasive to body areas a painless hair-removing action is effected.

When the cover member B stands per so on a support either from the tips of fingers 18 or from the blade walls, it serves as a drain type stand for a cake of soap such as 11.

It is to be noted that cover flange 17 has a function in the removal of cover B from container A. Leverage is provided for separation of skirt 16 from container head 14 with upward finger pressure on a local area of the underside of flange 17 to initiate removal. Thereafter, the cover is peeled off the container. It is further to be noted that an offset portion on the inner side of skirt 16 may be substituted for flange 17.

I wish it understood that minor changes and variations in material, form of molding, location, gauge of parts and integration of the embodiment of the invention may all be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A combination soap container and scrubber for storage, for hair brushing, hair combing, body massaging, removal of skin impurities, blackheads, superfluous skin hair and for scrubbing of fabrics, comprising an article receiving container for soap and other devices, said container having an open mouth rim, an elongated cover member removably and telescopically engageable with said container and comprising a flat base wall and a peripheral skirt terminating in a lower edge on a common horizontal plane and adapted to removably and resiliently engage said mouth rim for sealing of said container, said cover member having a plurality of prearranged and spaced fingers projecting from the upper side of said base wall and having a plurality of straight and parallel operative scraper blades projecting from the underside of said base wall to at least the edge plane of said peripheral skirt and extending longitudinally short of said skirt at the ends thereof, said wall, skirt, fingers and blades being integrally formed of a resilient and locally deformable material, the container serving as a handle for operation of the fingers when the cover is engaged thereto.

2. A combination soap container and scrubber for storage, for hair brushing, hair combing, body massaging, removal of skin impurities, blackheads, superfluous skin hair and for scrubbing of fabrics, comprising an article receiving container for soap and other devices, said container having an open mouth rim provided with a peripheral and outwardly extending bead, an elongated cover member removably and telescopically engageable with said container and comprising a flat base wall and a downwardly extending peripheral skirt terminating in a lower edge on a common horizontal plane and adapted to removably and resiliently engage said mouth rim at the bead for sealing the container, said peripheral skirt having an offset portion for finger engagement and for removal of the cover from the container, said cover having a plurality of prearranged and spaced fingers projecting from-the upper side of said base wall and having a plurality of straight and parallel scraper blades projecting from the underside of said base wall to at least the edge plane of said peripheral skirt and extending longitudinally short of said skirt at the ends, said wall, skirt, fingers and blades being integrally formed of resilient and locally deformable material, the container serving as a handle for the operation of the fingers when the cover is engaged thereto.

3. A combination soap container and scrubber for storage, for hair brushing, hair combing, body massaging, removal of skin impurities, blackheads, superfluous skin hair and for scrubbing of fabrics, comprising an article receiving container for soap and other devices, said container having an open mouth rim and a reinforced edge, an elongated cover member removably engageable with said container and comprising a fiat base wall and a downwardly extending peripheral skirt terminating in a lower edge on a common horizontal plane and adapted to removably and resiliently engage said mouth rim at the reinforcing edge for sealing of the container, said peripheral skirt having an outwardly extending flange to serve as a finger engageable element for removal of the cover from the container, said cover member having a plurality of prearranged spaced fingers projecting from the upper side of said base wall and having a plurality of straight and parallel reinforcing and scraper blades projecting from the underside of said base wall to at least the edge plane of said peripheral skirt and extending longitudinally short of said skirt at the ends, said wall, skirt, fingers and blades being integrally formed of resilient and locally deformable material, the container serving as a handle for the operation of the fingers when the cover is engaged thereto.

4. An elongated integral cover member of locally distortable and thin gauge thermoplastic for an article receiving container for soap and other devices, said cover comprising a flat base wall, a plurality of spaced and vertically extending fingers projecting from the upper face a said wall and adapted to serve as hair brushing and massaging elements, a plurality of straight, spaced, parallel and longitudinally extending blades including end blades projecting from the lower face of said wall and serving as massaging and scrubbing blades and as a reinforcement to resist undue yielding of said flat base wall when said cover member is in use, and a peripheral downwardly extending skirt terminating in a lower edge on a common horizontal plane on said flat base wall serving both as a handle for the cover member and the sealing means for the container, said blades projecting at least to the plane of the peripheral edge of said extending skirt, certain of said blades being provided with spaced reinforcing means between the lower face of said wall and the inner face of said skirt to efiectuate differential yieldability of the end blades.

5. An elongated integral cover member of locally distortable and thin gauge thermoplastic for an article receiving container for soap and other devices, said cover comprising a flat base wall, a plurality of spaced and vertically extending fingers projecting from the upper face of said wall and adapted to serve as hair brushing and massaging elements, a plurality of straight, spaced, parallel and longitudinally extending blades including end blades projecting from the lower face of said wall and serving as massaging and scrubbing blades and as a reinforcement to resist undue yielding of said flat base wall when said cover member is in use, and a peripheral downwardly extending skirt terminating in a lower edge on a common horizontal plane on said flat base wall serving both as a handle for the cover member and the sealing means for the container, said blades projecting at least to the plane of the peripheral edge of said extending. skirt, said downwardly extending skirt having an outwardly extending peripheral flange to increase rigidity of said skirt and to serve as a finger engageable element to remove the cover member from engaging position with the container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 172,747 Glanvill et al. Aug. 3, 1954 1,117,207 Mars Nov. 17, 1914 1,939,344 Garland Dec. 12, 1933 2,764,773 Glanvill et al. Oct. 2, 1956 FOREIGN PATENTS 430,290 Great Britain June 17, 1935 889,356 Germany Sept. 13, 1953 1,082,028 France June 16, 1954 1,085,155 France July 21, 1954 

